The inquiry will examine whether there is any potential for the disease to be transmitted to humans, the report said.

Livestock and health officials detected the bacteria in the carcass of a wild elephant found in Bandarban district, 248 kilometres (155 miles) southeast of the capital Dhaka, on June 11.

Officials said the last anthrax outbreak in Bangladesh occurred in 1978 when some 300 cattle died in the nearby Cox's Bazaar district, the report added.

Anthrax infection occurs in animals worldwide and can spread to humans. It is most often seen in cattle, sheep and goats but all mammals are susceptible to the disease, which causes fever and breathing difficulties.

Animals are usually infected through contact with soil containing anthrax spores.

The team is due to visit the spot where the elephant died and submit a report on the risk of the infection being passed to humans in the area, BSS said.

TERRA.WIRE